Diabetes Metab J.  2011 Dec;35(6):567-570. 10.4093/dmj.2011.35.6.567.

Costs of Diabetes Mellitus in Korea

• Lee KW

• KMID: 2280722
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2011.35.6.567

Abstract

Outcome research focusing on the economics of the medical field began in the mid-1990s and has included studies about costs, cost effectiveness, and policies. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total estimated cost of diabetes in 2007 was $174 billion. The economic burden of patients with diabetes in Canada is expected to be about $12.2 billion in 2010. Recent Korean studies have analyzed the expenses associated with type 2 diabetes for patients in selected general hospitals. Type 2 diabetic patients without complications cost approximately 1,184,563 won (the equivalent of US $1,184) per patient for healthcare annually. In contrast, patients with microvascular disease due to diabetic complications cost up to 4.7 times that amount, and patients with macrovascular disease incur up to 10.7 times the annual costs for patients without diabetic complications. Diabetic complications ultimately impact the quality of life for patients and patient mortality, and are associated with higher direct medical expenses for patients. To avoid increased medical costs, appropriate management techniques must be implemented to ensure timely care for patients with diabetes.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Outcome research

MeSH Terms

Canada
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Delivery of Health Care
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Dietary Sucrose
Hospitals, General
Humans
Korea
Quality of Life
Dietary Sucrose

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Annual medical costs per patient according to the presence of diabetic complications in Korea.

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